Obstetric Violence: Realities and Resistance from Around the World

281 Pages·2022·5.197 MB·English

by  Angela Castaneda, Nicole Hill, Julie Johnson Searcy

Obstetric Violence
Realities and resistance from
around the world
edited by Angela N. Castañeda,
Nicole Hill and Julie Johnson Searcy
Obstetric Violence
Realities and resistance from around the world
Edited by Angela N. Castañeda, Nicole Hill and Julie Johnson Searcy
Copyright © 2022 Demeter Press
Individual copyright to their work is retained by the authors. All rights
reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any
form by any means without permission in writing from the publisher.
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Printed and Bound in Canada
Front cover artwork: (Acrylic on canvas, 11’ x 11’) by Karla Hairem
Guerrero Moctezuma
Cover design and typesetting: Michelle Pirovich
Proof reading: Jena Woodhouse
eBook: tikaebooks.com
Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication
Title: Obstetric violence : realities, and resistance from around the world /
edited by Angela N. Castañeda, Nicole Hill, and Julie Johnson Searcy.
Names: Castañeda, Angela N., 1976- editor. | Hill, Nicole (Researcher in
sociology), editor. | Searcy, Julie Johnson, 1979- editor.
Description: Includes bibliographical references.
Identifiers: Canadiana 20210364211 | ISBN 9781772583755 (softcover)
Subjects: LCSH: Obstetric violence. | LCSH: Pregnant women—Violence
against. | LCSH: Hospital patients—Violence against. | LCSH: Mothers—
Violence against. | LCSH: Parents—Violence against.
Classification: LCC HV6250.4.W65 O27 2022 | DDC 362.83/953—dc23
Dedicated to all of the birthing people and their supporters who
have experienced obstetric violence. Your stories matter.

Acknowledgments
To all of the birthing people, partners, and care providers whose
lives and work have inspired us along our academic journey, we
acknowledge and appreciate you. To the amazing contributing
authors who agreed to give their time, energy, and expertise to this
volume, including the talented Karla Hairem Guerrero Moctezuma
whose artwork graces the cover, we thank you for sharing your wisdom
with us. And to our families for their patience, encouragement, and
support. Your love sustains us.
5

A Message from the Artist
In the center is a baby and a mother nestled together, they wear
symbols and colors of protection. The hands pulling back on the
cocoon show a multitude of hands that also contribute to the lives of
the mother & child. These hands protect, advocate, strengthen but they
can also be invasive, unjust and bring violence. The darkness depicts
the area that the hands are pulling the cocoon from or are pulling it
towards— a commentary on community struggles of care, love & life.
Karla Hairem Guerrero Moctezuma
7

Contents
Acknowledgments
5
A message from the artist
7
Introduction
Angela N. Castañeda, Nicole Hill, and Julie Johnson Searcy
13
Part I.
Legislation and Policy
25
1.
Root of the Poisonous Tree: Historical and Current Factors
Contributing to Mistreatment in Birth in the US
Farah Diaz-Tello, Indra Lusero, Colleen Campbell, Deborah Fisch,
Saraswathi Vedam, Monica McLemore, and Jacqueline K. Hammack
27
2.
Protecting Hawai‘i’s Birthkeepers and Midwives:
Obstetric Violence and Hawai‘i’s New Midwifery Law
Alexandra Kisitu
43
9